Nissan e-Power, which offers the best of both worlds when it comes to combustion and electric powertrains, will now be introduced in the Qashqai and will become the first model from the Japanese company to offer the technology in Europe.
First used in the Nissan Note compact family car as early as 2017, the model went on to become Japan’s best-selling car the following year. The new Qashqai will feature the Nissan e-Power technology for the first time in Europe which offers buyers optimum efficiency related to EV driving without the need to recharge complements of a variable compression ratio engine. This means that it runs within its optimal range and provides superior fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions when compared to traditional ICE’s.
Guillaume Cartier, Chairperson for Nissan’s AMIEO region states “The introduction of the innovative e-POWER system to the new Qashqai brings more of Nissan’s pioneering spirit to the crossover segment. Customers will love the feeling of driving an EV but without consideration for charging. And e-POWER represents a significant milestone in Nissan’s electrification strategy,” Nissan hopes this will mediate the transition for consumers into EV commuting vehicles as the buying public gets to grips with the now-mainstream technology.
The e-Power system makes use of a high-output battery, inverter and 140 kW electric motor that works in unison with a variable compression ratio 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine that churns out 116 kW in top spec. A 103 kW derivative will also be offered that enables frugal consumption and low emissions.
The differentiating factor of the e-Power system to that of a hybrid is that the electric motor is the only drivetrain that powers the wheels which provides instant and linear performance synonymous with a pure EV vehicle. This is Nissan’s quintessential gateway powertrain for adopters of the EV transition.
